A 3D-printed home rises on a single site for first time, thanks to mobile printer

Why it matters to you

Using a 3D printer to build a house is not entirely new, but it’s still a cool concept. Now, Apis Cor has taken the tech a step further by creating the very first 3D-printed house using a mobile printer on-site

Using a 3D printer to build a house is not entirely new, but pieces have always been built in a large facility. Rather than assembling pieces printed elsewhere on a site, Apis Cor has created the very first 3D-printed house using a mobile printer on-site.

Printing the self-bearing walls, partitions, and building envelope took the machine 24 hours to complete. The final result is the first house printed as a whole with an area of 409 square feet.

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Erecting the house during the coldest time of the year in Russia was no easy task. The concrete mixture used in the printing only sets right in temperatures above 5 degrees Celcius. Meanwhile, the outside temperature was sitting at minus-35 degrees Celcius. A simple solution was found by setting up a sealed tent around the construction site to keep it warm enough.

The technology behind Apis Cor’s 3D printer is unique in its design. Resembling a tower crane, the printer is smaller in size and can be easily transported to the site. When the printing is done, the printer can be lifted out from within the building using a crane manipulator.

Afterward, the final touches are added to make the structure more of a home. Insulation is sprayed inside the walls, a flat roof is installed, and the walls are coated in plaster. Then the walls are painted and the windows are installed. The result is a cozy home with a surprisingly open interior. Inside the small space is a hallway, a bathroom, a living room, and a compact, yet functional kitchen.

Not only did the 3D-printed home take significantly less time to build than a standard house, but it also saved a lot of money as well. The total cost of the printed house came to $10,134. However, what is really important here is that Apis Cor has taken the first step in making 3D printing a real option in the construction market.